I co-edited an anthology called Interfictions with Delia Sherman and wrote a short scholarly book on three women poets called Voices from Fairyland: The Fantastical Poems of Mary Coleridge, Charlotte Mew, and Sylvia Townsend Warner. So I've been busy, but I haven't had time to write a novel.
Theodora GossIf you believe you have a voice and something to say, chances are you do, and the world needs you to do whatever you're drawn to do. So you should do it.
Theodora GossLearn as much as you can. Take every opportunity to learn about writing, whether itโs through classes, workshops, whatever is available to you. This may be difficult, because things like classes, workshops, writing programs, require time and money. But I say this honestly and somewhat harshly โ if youโre not willing to prioritize your writing, perhaps you should do something else?
Theodora GossWhat writers do - everything comes from inside, from experiences of the world that we have digested. And then we turn it into silk, or stories.
Theodora GossWrite all the time. I believe in writing every day, at least a thousand words a day. We have a strange idea about writing: that it can be done, and done well, without a great deal of effort. Dancers practice every day, musicians practice every day, even when they are at the peak of their careers โ especially then. Somehow, we donโt take writing as seriously. But writing โ writing wonderfully โ takes just as much dedication.
Theodora Goss